Abu Dhabi Chamber Partners With Italy’s CDP To Enhance Economic Cooperation And Support SMEs

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italy's Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP). This agreement was formalised during the UAE-Italy Economic Forum in Rome, organised by the Italy-UAE Business Council alongside the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. The MoU was signed by Shamis Al Dhaheri from the Abu Dhabi Chamber and Dario Scannapieco of CDP.

This collaboration aims to enhance economic ties and promote investments in sectors like technology, energy, and tourism. It also focuses on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to explore new markets. The partnership is significant due to CDP's role in supporting Italian businesses internationally, coupled with Abu Dhabi's attractive business environment.

Italy stands as the UAE’s top non-oil trading partner within the European Union. In 2024, bilateral trade reached AED51.8 billion (US$14.1 billion), marking a 21% increase from the previous year. This growth highlights the robust economic relationship between these nations. In the first half of 2025, non-oil trade between them amounted to approximately AED25.6 billion (EUR6 billion).

The MoU aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision to diversify its economy and attract international investments. It supports industrial collaboration in innovation, advanced technology, and clean energy sectors. This strategic move is part of broader efforts to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s role as a global investment hub.

Shamis Al Dhaheri stated that this partnership reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a global platform for high-quality investments. "We are confident that this MoU will drive innovation, advance high-value industries, and empower companies and entrepreneurs in both countries to seize emerging opportunities," he said.

Dario Scannapieco described the MoU as a major step forward in expanding economic cooperation between Italy and the UAE. "It provides a tangible opportunity to strengthen the presence of Italian companies in a regional market renowned for its competitiveness and sustainable growth," he noted.

Fostering International Partnerships

The Abu Dhabi Chamber continues to build international partnerships that open new growth avenues, reinforcing its status as a preferred destination for investment and entrepreneurship. These efforts aim to enhance the UAE private sector's global reach while promoting sustainable economic growth through innovation and expansion.

Under this agreement, both parties will work together to support Italian and Emirati companies' expansion into promising markets. This includes sharing information on investment opportunities, facilitating direct engagement between private sector institutions, and promoting joint initiatives in priority sectors.

The MoU seeks to boost private sector contributions to sustainable economic growth by enabling businesses to innovate, expand, and compete globally. By fostering collaboration across various industries, it aims to create effective partnerships in industrial, technological, and renewable energy sectors.

With inputs from WAM